The new $51-million development will serve as new headquarters for the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, where scientists work on projects ranging from the environmental impacts on paddlefish to better protection for soldiers on the battlefield.

“You are talking about more Ph.D.’s on this property here than on any other in the nation. There is no telling how big it is,” Mayor George Flaggs said.

ERDC employs about 1,700 people at one facility. The impact of ERDC is estimated to be in the $400-million range for the region.

“It continues the process of improving the quality of our research capabilities here. It adds to the quality of the overall research facility. It encourages people to come here and be part of what we are doing here and that increases the quality of our community,” ERDC Director Jeff Holland said.

The new headquarters facility will be over 142,000 square feet and take more than two years to build.

"They do research in a lot of areas that keep men and women safe all around the world. Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan benefit from the research that goes on here," Rep. Bennie Thompson said.